Dallas Cowboys' Austin humbled by Pro Bowl spot, but hasn’t 'made it’

By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A junior journalist grabbed Dallas Cowboys receiver Miles Austin after Pro Bowl practice and began grilling him with questions such as: What do you do when you have to use the bathroom on the sideline?

What’s your favorite team?

Can you eat popcorn during the game?

He ended the interview asking Austin what advice he would give other young kids who wanted to be like him.

That answer was easy: "Keep working and keep smiling."

If ever there was a motto that defined Austin’s meteoric rise from unknown third receiver to Pro Bowl performer in roughly six months, that was it.

"Keep working and keep smiling."

Originally signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of Division I-AA Monmouth in 2006, Austin served mainly as a kick returner his first two seasons.

He saw a little more action in the 2008 season, but was still considered a raw, inconsistent receiver.

Of course, that was before a breakout 2009 season in which Austin caught 81 passes for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns to earn his first Pro Bowl spot.

His yardage total was third in the NFL and he was tied for the fourth-most receiving touchdowns, not bad for a formerly unknown small-school prospect who had 18 total catches his first three seasons.

It’s little wonder few are soaking up the... -- Continue reading at the publisher's site